Indispensable no more? Rohit and Virat will be judged on ODI form, says ex-opener

 

Former India opener Aakash Chopra said both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will come under scrutiny for their performances in one-day international (ODI) cricket going forward, adding that consistency will be their ticket to the 2027 ODI World Cup. Kohli and Rohit have long been automatic selections in India's ODI side, but that could change as the team moves towards the next major tournament under Shubman Gill's captaincy.

In a generational shift, India named Shubman Gill as captain of the ODI team, replacing Rohit Sharma, for the upcoming three-match series in Australia starting on 19 October. The passing of the baton comes two years before the next ODI World Cup, which will be staged in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

While Gill has been elevated to the leadership role, both Rohit and Kohli have retained their places in the one-day squad. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar did not go into detail about the team management's plans for the two senior players with respect to the 2027 World Cup, but made it clear that their performances would be taken into account when selection decisions are made.

Rohit, who has amassed 11,168 runs in 273 ODIs, led India to Champions Trophy glory in March. However, the veteran has now been asked to make way for Gill, who is being tipped to lead India across all formats in the future. Kohli, meanwhile, enjoyed a strong Champions Trophy campaign, scoring a century and a vital 84 in the semi-final.

Shubman Gill Didn't Want ODI Captaincy, BCCI Pressurised Him': Mohammad Kaif Drops Bombshell

 Former Indian cricket team star Mohammad Kaif believes that Shubman Gill was pressurised into becoming the ODI captain. In a decision that divided opinions, Gill replaced Rohit Sharma as the skipper ahead of the upcoming ODI series against Australia. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that the team management were looking to give Gill enough time to settle down as captain in time for the 2027 ODI World Cup. As a result, Gill is currently the Test and ODI captain for the Indian cricket team while serving as the vice-captain of the T20I side. Kaif warned against 'overburdening' a young player like Gill and even hinted that selectors, including Agarkar, forced him to take the captaincy.

"This was on expected lines, but I felt this would happen after the 2027 World Cup. The guy has quality, and he's also worked on his fitness. He had a realistic chance of playing the 2027 World Cup. However, the load falls on Gill. He's getting all of it in a hurry. It could also lead to a loss. When you get so much in such a short time, it could backfire," Kaif said in a video posted on YouTube.

"My point is that don't overburden him. He captains in Tests, bats at No. 4. He was made the vice-captain in the Asia Cup – will take over when Suryakumar Yadav steps aside. Now you've made him the ODI captain. I feel everything is being done in a hurry. A player never asks for captaincy. Everyone knows that he didn't want it. You can't demand it, but everyone seems to like him a lot and considers him a captain for the future. The selectors, including Ajit Agarkar, have pressurised him."

Rohit was included in the squad for the Australia ODIs but he will not have any leadership role in the side.

What A Day &...': VVS Laxman Recalls Mohali Thriller Against Australia, Hails Pragyan Ojha & Ishant Sharma

 Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman lauded Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha over the memorable Test victory against Australia in Mohali in 2010. With a user on X sharing a video of the Test and hailing Laxman's unbeaten 73, the cricketer himself retweeted it, referring to the win as a 'True testament to belief and resilience'.

The one-wicket came even after India had stumbled to 124/8 while chasing a modest 216. Laxman, who watched wickets falling from the other end, shared an invaluable 81-run partnership. No.11 Pragyan Ojha went on to stay unbeaten along with Laxman as the hosts clinched a one-wicket thriller.

Laxman responded the below to the X user's video:

"What a day and what a memorable Test! Never ever give up till the end. Huge credit to @ImIshant and @pragyanojha for the way they held their nerve and showed such great character. True testament to belief and resilience."

Team India had also won the second Test to win back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

The second Test at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was a relatively easier win for MS Dhoni and co. as they chased down a target of 207 with seven wickets to spare. It helped the Asian Giants win back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The tour also had three ODIs but only one of them took place due to rains and the hosts had won the fixture by five wickets.

India squad for Australia tour: 5 mammoth announcements by Ajit Agarkar that promises to change future of Indian cricket

 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named the squad for the white-ball tour of Australia on Saturday. The tour will begin with a three-match ODI series starting on October 19, followed by five T20Is. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been picked for the 50-over format, marking their return to international cricket for the first time since the Champions Trophy earlier this year. However, Rohit will no longer lead the ODI side, as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee named Shubman Gill as the new captain, with Shreyas Iyer as his deputy.

Agarkar’s committee made quite a few significant announcements that could redefine India’s white-ball approach in the lead-up to the two impending ICC tournaments - the T20 World Cup in February 2026 and the ODI World Cup at home in 2027. These decisions strike a strategic balance between nurturing young talent and leveraging experienced veterans, signalling a long-term vision that could shape India’s performance in the years to come.

IND vs WI: KL Rahul’s explosive Century takes Team India to 218-3, lead by 56 runs

 Opener KL Rahul made a fine century as India reached 218 for three at lunch on the second day of the opening Test against West Indies here on Friday.

Rahul was batting on 100 with Dhruv Jurel (14) giving him company as India led the visitors by 56 runs at the break.

India, starting the day at 121-2, lost the wicket of skipper Shubman Gill (50) during the opening session.

The host had dismissed West Indies for 162 on day one.

The post IND vs WI: KL Rahul’s explosive Century takes Team India  to 218-3, lead by 56 runs appeared first on Cricket Country.

Shubman Gill Hints At India's Plan Of Avoiding Rank Turners In Tests vs West Indies

 India Test captain Shubman Gill on Wednesday indicated that the team is moving away from its preference for rank turners in home games and would be looking to play on tracks that "offer assistance to both batters and bowlers". In a press conference on the eve of the Test series against West Indies here, Gill said the team might be tempted to field a third seamer in the series opener with the venue sporting a green-top surface amid hot and humid conditions.

"I can't really speak about what were the conversations before I came (in as captain), but yes we would be looking to play on wickets that offer (help) to both the batsmen and to the bowlers," Gill said.

"But having said that, I think any challenge for any team that comes to India, they know that the challenge is going to be spin and reverse swing. Keeping these challenges in mind, we would be looking to play on wickets that offer both to the batsmen and to the bowlers.

"You will get to know the combination tomorrow (Thursday). Given how the weather and conditions are, we are tempted to have a third seaming option but we will take a call tomorrow," he added.

Gill said India will be looking to play “hard and grinding cricket” at home.

“We are looking to play some hard grinding cricket and then over the past few years if you see, the Test matches in India don't really go (on) up to five days, so what we are really looking to do is to play some good, hard cricket,” he said.